Mary Tyler Moore honored for lifetime achievement

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mary Tyler Moore made it after all.

The 75-year-old actress, who as Mary Richards "turned the world on with her smile" in her groundbreaking 1970s sitcom "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," received the lifetime achievement award at Sunday night's 18th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.

"MTM. There's probably not a person in the civilized world who doesn't know what that means," said Dick Van Dyke, her former co-star in the equally appealing 1960s sit-com "The Dick Van Dyke show," as he introduced her.

He noted Moore's achievements as an Oscar-nominated actress, a dancer and a Hollywood executive whose MTM Enterprises has produced several other hit TV shows.

As she accepted her award, Moore revealed how the civilized world almost never did hear of MTM, who was told in the opening theme song of her show each week, "You're gonna make it after all."

When she entered show business at age 18 in 1955, Moore said, there were already six others Mary Moores in the Screen Actors Guild.

Told to change her name, she quickly added Tyler, the middle name of both her and her father, George.

"I was Mary Tyler Moore. I spoke it out loud. Mary Tyler Moore. It sounded right so I wrote it down on the form, and it looked right," she said. "It was right. SAG was happy, my father was happy, and tonight, after having the privilege of working in this business among the most creative and talented people imaginable, I too am happy, after all."

Before the awards show Van Dyke had stopped on the red carpet to remember working with Moore on his show.

"She was 23 and had never done comedy. I never saw somebody pick it up so fast. I still have a crush on her," he said.

The show's audience, including Moore's former co-star Betty White, showered both her and Van Dyke with standing ovations, leading Van Dyke to remind them, "I'm just a presenter."

Van Dyke and Moore were so believable as husband and wife Rob and Laura Petrie on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" that many viewers thought they were married in real life.

As Laura Petrie, Moore also turned Capri pants into a fashion trend during the show's run.

Van Dyke noted they fit her so well, which created such a concern during that more conservative era, that she was limited to wearing them in only one scene per show.

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Swift, Lady A and Jason Aldean honored again (AP)

NEW YORK – CMT's second annual Artists of the Year event will look a bit familiar: Three of last year's honorees will be feted once again.

Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and Jason Aldean will be celebrated for a second time, along with new honorees Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney. CMT picks the five top artists in country music based on sales of albums and single downloads, country radio airplay, concert grosses and popularity on CMT.

The 90-minute taped special, which features performances during a dinner setting, will air Dec. 13 on CMT. "Top Chef" winner Stephanie Izard will prepare the food for the event, which tapes Nov. 29 in Nashville, Tenn.

Izard said she plans to talk to the honorees to get a feel for what they like to eat, and that will guide her food preparations.

"I think bringing their favorites ... something that's going to make them happy, that's what it's going to be all about," Izard said in an interview Tuesday.

Izard said music is a big inspiration for her in the kitchen, so she's excited about catering the event.

"I'm hoping that we can just celebrate food and celebrate music, and things that inspire people," she said.

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Diamond, Streep among 5 honored by Kennedy Center (AP)

WASHINGTON – The good times never seemed so good for Neil Diamond.

Known for his songs that have become anthems at ballparks and bars, Diamond was chosen Wednesday to receive the Kennedy Center Honors this year along with some of the biggest names from Broadway, jazz, classical music and Hollywood.

Diamond will be honored with Broadway singer Barbara Cook, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, saxophonist Sonny Rollins and actress Meryl Streep for their contributions to American culture through the arts. President Barack Obama will salute the artists and others will perform in their honor at a ceremony at the Kennedy Center on Dec. 4. CBS will broadcast the show Dec. 27.

Diamond said he was "flying way above sea level" when heard about the honor.

"I've watched, and I've seen, and I've even dreamed that someday that would happen to me," he told The Associated Press. "But I never really believed that it would."

Diamond said he used to get distracted when people sang along with him to hits like "Sweet Caroline," which was written for presidential daughter Caroline Kennedy who hosts the show.

"But I realized pretty quickly that it was a compliment, and I had no choice in the matter anyway, so I got with the program and just learned to love it," said Diamond, who earlier this year was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He said he's planning another U.S. tour next summer after performing abroad recently.

The 70-year-old Diamond also tweeted Wednesday that he was engaged to a woman named Katie — but wouldn't tell AP who she was so that she wouldn't "change her mind."

Streep, 62, has made more than 45 movies and has won two Oscars in a career that spans from Shakespeare to ABBA with the movie "Mamma Mia!" Some of her biggest hits have come in recent years with "The Devil Wears Prada," "Julie & Julia" and "It's Complicated." In the upcoming biopic "The Iron Lady," Streep will play British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

The actress said she is deeply honored by the Kennedy Center's nod and wishes her parents were alive to see it.

"All that education, allowance, tuition, voice lessons, summer jobs, scholarship application deadlines and loving care and discipline — all that they gave me, bore fruit in a way they never dreamed," she said in a statement.

George Stevens Jr., who created the honors and produces the show with his son Michael Stevens, said each of this year's honorees is the best at what they do. The heart of the show, he said, is exploring their lives through filmed tributes.

Ma is one of the best-known classical musicians, playing the cello since he was 4. He played for six U.S. presidents, including President John F. Kennedy and President Dwight D. Eisenhower at age 7 at a fundraiser to build a national cultural center that would later become the Kennedy Center. In 2009, he played at Obama's inauguration and last year was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The 55-year-old said he feels too young to be receiving such an award for lifetime achievements.

The son of Chinese parents who lived in Paris and moved to New York said some of his musical heroes have won the Kennedy Center Honors, including Mstislav Rostropovich and Leon Fleisher, so he was stunned to be joining their ranks. He said the honors are an important moment to nurture the arts each year.

"The whole nation gets together to celebrate essentially the accomplishments of the human spirit," he told AP, adding that society needs political, economic and cultural engines to succeed.

"The cultural part encompasses the arts and sciences," he said. "That's the seed for actual creativity."

Rollins, who turned 81 on Wednesday, has shared the stage with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, among others. He is one of the last surviving giants of jazz from the golden era of the late 1940s to the early 1960s.

"I definitely feel that this award is not so much for me as it is for some of the great, great jazz artists that preceded me," he said. "I'm very happy that it's an honor for jazz because I think jazz is such an important spiritual force all over the world."

As a lifelong New Yorker, Rollins would practice for hours at night on the Williamsburg Bridge, which connects Manhattan and Brooklyn. He could "play as loud as I want" and avoid disturbing his neighbors.

Cook, 83, made her Broadway debut in 1951 and later was cast in Leonard Bernstein's musical version of Voltaire's "Candide," which she considers the most difficult thing she's ever sang, and Meredith Wilson's 1957 hit musical "The Music Man," for which she won a Tony.

The Beatles later recorded the song she made popular, "Till There Was You." She returned to Broadway last year for "Sondheim on Sondheim" after spending years on her own concerts and solo albums.

Cook said she cried when she received the letter informing her of the Kennedy Center Honors.

"It's a kind of validation for me, for my whole life," she said. "Because when I sing, I put my whole life, the good part, the bad part, I put that into my work."

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Meryl Streep, Neil Diamond honored by Kennedy Center (Reuters)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Actress Meryl Streep will add another honor to her illustrious career as one of the five artists recognized by the Kennedy Center for their contribution to culture.

Streep will join cellist Yo-Yo Ma, singer and songwriter Neil Diamond, Broadway singer and actress Barbara Cook and saxophonist Sonny Rollins as 2011 Kennedy Center honorees, the performing arts organization said on Wednesday.

President Barack Obama will salute the five, and other stars will perform in their honor at a ceremony to be broadcast on CBS television on December 27.

Kennedy Center chairman David M. Rubenstein said the five honorees were extraordinary people "whose collective artistry has contributed significantly to the cultural life of our nation and the world."

Double Oscar-winner Streep, 62, is regarded as among the greatest living film actresses for performances in movies ranging from "Sophie's Choice" to "The Devil Wears Prada".

Rubenstein said "Sweet Caroline" singer Diamond has "created one of the most enduring catalogs of American popular music", and he called Yo-Yo Ma "one of the most versatile and popular classical music performers in the world."

Cook, 83, is best known for her 1950s Broadway performances in shows like "Candide" and "The Music Man", while Grammy-winning Rollins, 81, is regarded as one of the most influential jazz musicians in the world over a 60-year career.

The Kennedy Center Honors were created in 1978 and past honorees have included Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Carol Burnett, Luciano Pavarotti, Willie Nelson and Oprah Winfrey.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

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Telluride film fest concludes, Clooney honored (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters) – The Telluride Film Festival wrapped up on Monday after a long weekend of screenings, seminars and other programs, with George Clooney and Tilda Swinton receiving top honors.

The 38th annual festival in the Colorado ski resort town saw Alexander Payne's "The Descendants" win a rapturous reception, with star George Clooney on hand to discuss the comic drama being released in November.

Other films that drew strong response included silent film "The Artist," which also made a splash in Cannes, and "Albert Nobbs," a period piece in which Glenn Close's character lives most of her life disguised as a man. Close was also in town for the festival.

The festival's three surprise films, which were not announced in advance, included Jim Field Smith's "Butter," starring Jennifer Garner and Ty Burrell, all of whom made appearances. "Crazy Horse," Frederick Wiseman's look at the glamorous Paris cabaret, and "Le Grand Amour," Pierre Etaix's lost masterpiece which was making its North American premiere, were also screened.

Silver Medallion awards for significant contributions to the cinema world went to Clooney, Swinton and Etaix. The Special Medallion, honoring preservation and presentation of great movies, went to British film magazine Sight & Sound, with editor Nick James on hand to accept.

The festival presented 28 new features, as well as six revivals, nine "Backlot" programs, nine classics and restorations, as well as a 30 short and student films.

(Reporting by Chris Michaud; editing by Christine Kearney)

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Al Pacino honored in Venice, presents new film (Reuters)

VENICE, Italy (Reuters) – Hollywood veteran Al Pacino is honoured by the Venice film festival on Sunday with a special prize and the presentation of his latest directorial project "Wilde Salome."

Even at such a star-studded festival, where the likes of George Clooney, Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna have walked the red carpet this year, Pacino drew large crowds of screaming fans and autograph hunters to the Lido island.

He receives the Jaeger Lecoultre Glory to the Filmmaker Award at a gala awards ceremony.

Wilde Salome is part documentary about the staging of Irish writer and poet Oscar Wilde's play "Salome" starring rising star Jessica Chastain, part an exploration of the author and part film version of Salome itself.

Pacino, one of the giants of cinema with eight Oscar nominations including one win to his name, admitted to being a little confused about what type of picture he had made.

"I guess what I tried to do is ... create a story," Pacino told reporters in Venice after the film was shown to the press.

"But I don't know what it is. I like to say it's a documentary because it's not a film, but then it's not a documentary either, so I'm confused too."

The 71-year-old said that making movies for himself, some of which remain hidden away never to be shown, made him fall in love with cinema years ago and become a better actor.

"As soon as I started making my own films, I actually became easier on directors," he explained.

"Because I was very difficult at first. I really didn't know the medium, I didn't know what the needs of a director were. Once I started, the magic of movies came into my life."

The star of films including "The Godfather" and "Scent of a Woman" added that, unlike Orson Welles, he did not abandon the theater once he discovered movies, but continued with both disciplines.

Pacino said Wilde, who was hounded for his homosexuality at the end of the 19th century, was a fascinating subject.

"We do know that he was ... a very liberal thinker and more than that he was a visionary in terms of his feeling for people and how he wanted society to be more humane and that he was really on dangerous ground at that time.

"Part of his sexuality was what they used against him to put him away. They wanted to silence him."

Asked what the future held, Pacino replied:

"I have movies that are still coming at me and I always say that I'm going to be selective. I always say that, but I never am.

"I'm saying again -- 'I'm going to do it only when I feel it's the thing to do for me.' I hope I follow that philosophy. That's my future. It's blank."

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White; Editing by Rosalind Russell)

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Singer Jenni Rivera honored with Las Vegas star (AP)

LAS VEGAS – Singer Jenni Rivera and former major league pitcher Esteban Loaiza are each getting a place on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars.

The Mexican power couple was honored at the Eastside Cannery casino in Las Vegas Friday night in a ceremony punctuated by mariachi music and glowing speeches given by friends and family. Rivera is giving a concert at the casino Saturday night to mark her 42nd birthday.

Rivera tearfully thanked her fans as she surveyed the granite stars recognizing her and her husband.

"You make me," she said.

The 200-pound granite stars were scheduled to be installed Saturday on the Las Vegas Strip outside the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino alongside stars dedicated to Dean Martin, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.

The singer of hits "Contraband" and "Guilty or Innocent" hopes to win her first Grammy soon.

"One day I'll get it," she said of the celebrated music award.

Mexican boxer Fernando Vargas said Rivera deserved the recognition.

"I know the Mexican people love her a lot, as they should," he said.

Rivera was born in Long Beach, Calif., to Mexican parents. Loaiza was born in Tijuana, Mexico, and during his long career played for a variety of teams including the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.

The couple wed last year.

Rivera said she and Loaiza were both fans of the other before they met at one of her concerts.

"Well, he pitched and I caught it," she said with a laugh.

Las Vegas Walk of Stars spokesman Pablo Castro Zavala said Rivera's fans demanded the couple be recognized. Of the 54 stars handed out since the organization was founded more than six years ago, nearly half have gone to Latin American celebrities.

"She's got thousands of fans in Las Vegas," said Zavala.

Rivera and Loaiza are the second couple to be recognized by the Las Vegas Strip attraction. Cuban music icons Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan were given a shared star last year.

Rivera, who was encouraged to pursue a singing career by her father, recalled her early days as a performer, when she was paid $100 to do five shows. She said she became famous to show her children that persistence was the best way to respond to critics.

"If it wasn't for my children, I wouldn't have this drive to succeed," she said.

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Singer Jenni Rivera honored with Las Vegas star (AP)

LAS VEGAS – Singer Jenni Rivera and former Major League Baseball pitcher Esteban Loaiza are each getting a place on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars.

Granite stars recognizing the wife and husband were scheduled to be installed Saturday on the Las Vegas Strip alongside stars dedicated to Dean Martin, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. Stars for Rivera and Loaiza will be located outside the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.

The Mexican power couple was scheduled to attend a ceremony in their honor Friday night at the Eastside Cannery hotel-casino in Las Vegas. Rivera was to give a concert at the casino Saturday to mark her 42nd birthday.

Rivera is the singer of hits "Contraband" and "Guilty or Innocent."

Loaiza played for several teams during his MLB career, including the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Stars with criminal pasts honored at BET Awards (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – R&B star Chris Brown, fully rehabilitated in the public eye after beating up ex-girlfriend Rihanna two years ago, led the list of winners with criminal pasts at the BET Awards on Sunday.

Brown took home four awards, including the viewers' choice prize, amid some confusion at the 11th annual celebration of black musicians, actors and sports people. He led the contenders with six nominations.

In an unfortunate turn, Brown's name was called as the winner of the viewers' choice award, and then Rihanna's. Canadian rapper Drake awkwardly appeared on stage at the Shrine Auditorium to accept on her behalf.

But at the end of the show, it was revealed that Brown was the actual winner and there had been a technical snafu. Alas, that was too late to save the lucky fan charged with announcing the winner from being savaged on Twitter.

Brown's music career stalled after he pleaded guilty to assaulting Rihanna in February 2009, setting off a national debate on young, abusive relationships.

He publicly apologized, underwent court-ordered domestic violence counseling, and spent six months performing community service. Earlier this year he topped the U.S. pop album chart, a sign that his career was back on track.

"I know it's been a long road, so I just appreciate every blessing that's been in front of me," said Brown, dressed casually in white T-shirt, denim shorts and a silver kerchief.

He shared BET's best collaboration prize with Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne. The latter spent most of 2010 behind bars on a weapons charge. Brown's other awards included best male R&B artist and best video.

MICHAEL VICK HONORED

Other winners included professional football player Michael Vick, on the comeback trail after serving 19 months in federal prison for his involvement in a dog-fighting ring. He was named best sportsman, but was not on hand to accept the award.

Representing the other side of the law was prison guard-turned-rapper Rick Ross, who was a frequent performer on stage. At one point, the portly star unbuttoned his shirt to reveal a notable pair of breasts.

"I feel like you should put a sports bra on," host Kevin Hart said afterward.

Soul star Cee Lo Green used his expansive girth to better effect during a tribute to Patti LaBelle. He dressed as the flamboyant R&B icon as he belted out her signature tune "Somebody Loves You Baby."

"You scared me," LaBelle said afterwards.

In a decision that averted a family feud, singer/actors Willow and Jaden Smith shared the Young Star award, while their father Will Smith looked on with tears welling in his eyes. Willow, who had a novelty hit last year with "Whip My Hair," thanked her parents for "letting us push harder and keeping us on track with our music and stuff."

Jaden Smith's 17-year-old friend Justin Bieber, ubiquitous on the awards circuit recently, appeared on stage to present an award and engage in some scripted salacious banter with female hip-hop artist winner Nicki Minaj, almost 10 years his senior.

(Editing by Todd Eastham)

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Steve Harvey, Patti LaBelle honored at BET Awards (AP)

LOS ANGELES – Amid awards for the top artists, actors and athletes, Steve Harvey was recognized for his humanitarian work at the BET Awards.

BET Chairman and Chief Executive Debra Lee called the 54-year-old entertainer "a true gentleman who acts like a comedian but thinks like a citizen of the world" as she presented him with the Humanitarian Award.

Harvey thanked God and his fellow philanthropists as he accepted the honor.

Patti LaBelle also accepted a special honor at Sunday's ceremony: Gladys Knight presented her with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

"I plan to hold myself up higher because I've gotten this wonderful award," the 67-year-old singer said, and then she grabbed a microphone and sang a pair of hits, including the breakthrough "Lady Marmalade."

Harvey and LaBelle were among dozens of artists recognized at the BET Awards, which were presented at the Shrine Auditorium.

The night's leading nominee, Chris Brown won a pair of prizes early in the show. The 21-year-old singer was named best male R&B artist and won best collaboration for his song "Look At Me Now" with Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes.

Brown accepted the collaboration award after performing a medley that including the winning track.

"Public-speaking is not my strong suit," he said, thanking BET and his fans before passing the microphone to Wayne, who expressed gratitude to Brown for including him on the track. Busta Rhymes rapped his acceptance.

Earlier in the ceremony, Brown also thanked his fans and the network: "I appreciate all the support. I know it's been a long road, so I appreciate every blessing in front of me."

Lil Wayne also came on stage when Nicki Minaj accepted her award for best female hip-hop artist.

"I can't believe for the first time I get to share a moment like this with the person who saw me rapping on a staircase," she said of the rapper and producer, who was incarcerated when she won the same prize last year. "Lil Wayne, I love you."

Minaj was joined by Justin Bieber to present the male hip-hop artist award later in the show. Kanye West won but wasn't on hand to accept the trophy.

Instead of traditional awards-show winners' envelopes, winners were revealed on a tablet device provided by Sprint.

Diddy Dirty Money was named best group. Jaden Smith and Willow Smith were also early winners. The son and daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith tied as winners of the Young Stars award.

But the show was really about the performances, which were plentiful. Mary J. Blige opened the ceremony, performing her hits "All Night Long" and "Real Love" before being joined by Anita Baker. The divas performed a duet of "Caught Up in the Rapture."

Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled and Ace Hood shared the stage for "Hustle Hard." Alicia Keys unveiled a new song, before lapsing into "A Woman's Worth," for which she was joined by Bruno Mars, and her hit, "Fallin'."

Jill Scott sang in a speakeasy setting. Trey Songz took off his shirt during his performance, even after host Kevin Hart said the young singer looks "like a beige greyhound" shirtless.

Donnie McClurkin kicked off a gospel celebration, with Mary Mary and Deitrick Haddon joining in to sing "Thank You."

Beyonce performed from across the pond: Her headlining set at the Glastonbury Music Festival was beamed into the Shrine from England.

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Faye Dunaway honored at Cannes Film Festival (Reuters)

CANNES (Hollywood Reporter) – Cannes poster girl and Oscar-winning actress Faye Dunaway added some old school Hollywood glamor to the Croisette on Sunday when Cultural Minister Frederic Mitterand named her an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters at a ceremony in Cannes.

While her famous face can be seen all over the Croisette on this year's official festival poster in a photograph taken by Jerry Schatzberg in 1970, the actress made a live appearance at the Cafe des Palmes in the Palais to accept her prize.

"She has one of the most wonderful filmographies of any actress. Look at her movies from the 70s for example -- she only made good choices. She's had an incredible career," festival artistic director Thierry Fremaux said of the star of such classic films as "Chinatown" and "Network," as well as her first big hit, "Bonnie and Clyde."

Dunaway kept everyone waiting, then made a late-yet-dramatic entrance, telling Mitterand in perfect French: "It's a great honor. I'm sorry for being late -- I blame the weather."

Dunaway first came to Cannes to present the Palme d'Or to Wim Wenders for "Paris, Texas."

"You're an actress in auteur films but also films for a large audience, which makes you an eternal star," Mitterand told Dunaway before presenting her with the decoration.

"This I will treasure," Dunaway said of her prize before getting teary-eyed. "I have a new dream, and I am working on my new film as a director and as an actress," Dunaway said of the future. "For me, acting is a kind of comfort and satisfaction, but it's never the wind in my hair, as Meryl Streep said. It's anguish, because it's a war to make a film -- you have to take the fire and prevail, as Faulkner said, so you have to be very strong."

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"Kids Are All Right," Kim Cattrall, honored by GLAAD (Reuters)

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – The lesbian family drama "The Kids Are All Right," about a couple whose lives are disrupted when their children seek out their sperm donor dad, won GLAAD's outstanding film award on Saturday.

The film, which was nominated for four Oscars earlier this year, starred Annette Bening, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo. Writer-director Lisa Cholodenko was on hand to accept the award from the U.S. gay campaign group.

"Sex and the City" star Kim Cattrall was honored with GLAAD's Golden Gate Award for increasing the visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Other honorees on Saturday included the documentary "8: The Mormon Proposition," Spanish-language music artist Christian Chavez, and former Wall Street Journal columnist and author Kara Swisher. The corporate leader award went to telecoms company AT&T, which has LGBT inclusive policies for its employees.

The awards were presented at a ceremony in San Francisco hosted by "Glee" star Naya Rivera.

"Glee" tied with "Modern Family" for GLAAD's best TV comedy series award, given out ceremony in April in Los Angeles.

Saturday's ceremony wrapped up the 22nd annual media award season by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which recognizes TV shows, movies, journalists, musicians and bloggers that most fairly portray the LGBT community and the issues that affect them.

(Reporting by Zorianna Kit; Editing by Jill Serjeant)

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Depeche Mode singer honored at L.A. sobriety event (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Depeche Mode singer Dave Gahan, a former heroin addict who cheated death during the 1990s, was honored for his sobriety on Friday by a charity that helps musicians who have fallen on hard times.

The seventh annual MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert attracted rock luminaries including Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan, Go-Go's guitarist Charlotte Caffey, Billy Idol and director Cameron Crowe.

Gahan headlined a performance bill that also featured alternative rock band Jane's Addiction, pop combo Paramore and Latino ensemble Ozomatli. His bandmate Martin Gore made an unannounced appearance, partnering with Gahan on their big hit "Personal Jesus."

Guests paid up to $1,250 each to attend and plenty of screaming Depeche Mode fans packed the relatively cheap $125 seats in the balcony of the downtown club. Dinner was served but alcohol was off the menu.

Also honored was concert promoter Kevin Lyman, the man behind the annual Warped tour of punk and emo bands.

Gahan, 48, told Reuters before the event that he lives a clean life now, although it requires discipline and self-control to avoid giving in to temptation.

"If you sit in a barber's shop long enough, you're gonna get a f---in' haircut," he said with a laugh.

"I don't hang out with people that are getting high because I'm not that strong. It's fun to party and I had a lot of fun, and I kind of used up all my chips in that department."

Gahan attempted suicide in 1995 by slashing a wrist, following years of drug abuse that had destroyed his second marriage and imperiled his membership of Depeche Mode. The wound was not deep enough to be life-threatening but he was locked up for psychiatric evaluation.

He almost died in 1996 when his heart stopped for several minutes after he overdosed. He finally cleaned up about two years later.

Gahan was introduced at the event by Aerosmith's Tyler, who has had considerably more difficulty staying clean, as detailed in the memoir he published this week.

"One of the hardest things an addict can do is to get sober and to stay clean," Tyler told the crowd.

A woman yelled out "One day at a time" and Tyler replied "Yeah, yeah baby!"

Gahan and a pickup band performed a selection of covers, including David Bowie's "Cracked Actor" and the Damned's "New Rose."

Depeche Mode, which rose to fame during the 1980s with gloomy songs targeted at disaffected youngsters, wrapped up its most recent world tour in Germany in February 2010. Gahan said he is working on songs for the follow-up to the band's 2009 album "Sounds of the Universe."

The MusiCares MAP Fund, run by the group that hands out the Grammys, provides access to addiction recovery for members of the music community.

(Editing by John O'Callaghan)

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